episporangium

/ˌɛpɪspəˈrændʒiəm/

noun

A cup-like or funnel-shaped structure in certain fungi and ferns that sits above or covers the sporangium.

Etymology

From Greek epi- 'upon' + sporangium (from spora 'spore' + anggeion 'vessel'). Botanical terminology for fungal and fern reproductive structures.

Kelly Says

The episporangium is ferns' way of protecting baby spores—it's like a tiny greenhouse hovering over the spore factory, releasing millions of microscopic spores when conditions are damp and cool!

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